Ph ranks 3rd among countries in ‘visitor exports’ index

By Manila Standard Today

Legazpi City  — The Philippines now ranks third among countries where “visitor exports” or foreign tourism will grow fastest between 2013 and 2023.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda., citing a recent report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Travel and Tourism League, said the Philippines could pick up from its 6.6 percent growth in 2012 with tourism as its flagship program.

The recent WTTC reports forecast the Philippines to grow 8.7 percent annually with robust foreign tourists arrival growth, together with Brazil and Venezuela with 14.4% and 9.1%, growth rates, respectively.

A noted economist and former economic adviser to Philippine Presidents, Salceda said the same WTTC report indicates that the Philippines ranks 5th among countries where spending on business travel grew fastest in 2012, with a growth rate of 23.7 percent. It also ranks 10th among countries where travel and tourism directly contribute to the Gross Domestic Product, a rather impressive figure considering the broad global tourism destinations.

The National Statistical Coordination Board reported that the country’s economy grew faster than expected in 2012 at 6.6 percent, way above the 5.0-6.0% official target for the year, and the actual 3.9 percent growth in 2011. The Philippines has so far been one of the best economic  performers in Asia.

The situation, Salceda said, offers huge opportunity for his province, Albay, which has single-mindedly focused on tourism as its flagship program. In 2012 it posted an all-time high tourism growth of 49%   making it the fastest growing destinations in the country.